New Butterfly Garden Installed at Drexel Lodge Park

NEWTOWN SQUARE–On a perfect autumn day on Saturday, Oct. 15, members of 's Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) planted their new butterfly garden at in Newtown Square.

Mike McGraw and Paul Seligson of the EAC helped oversee the installation with guidance from Steve Mostardi of . Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors of Newtown Square–Donna McCole, Iris Barcaro, Tony Galiffa, and Rae Gustaitius, a long-time member of the EAC, and a realtor with Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors–also volunteered that day for the installation of the garden.

Around 8:30 a.m., Mostardi and EAC member McGraw laid out the 40-plant garden with 11 different kinds of plant material following the diagram provided by EAC member Ellen Goss. The 30x80-foot area had been tilled and compost prepped by Charlie Steinmetz and the road crew of Newtown Township. Planting began with earnest around 9 a.m..

Two diggers prepped the holes and three gardeners planted the butterfly bushes and butterfly attracting shrubs. The area was covered with mulch from Mostardi’s Nursery and then deer repellant was dusted around the perimeter. Finally, water was manually added around each plant. The project was completed by 10:30 a.m.

Mostardi’s Nursery provided all the plant material supplies and mulch at a low cost which made this project possible from a budget perspective.

The funds to accomplish all this were fronted by Newtown Township and will be applied for reimbursement to the Delaware County Conservation District mini grant, which offers such activities by locally based environmental organizations, civic organizations, scouting organizations and school-based environmental clubs and others.

Participants look forward to having the community visit and enjoy the butterfly garden for many years to come. A Monarch was seen fluttering around as the volunteers packed up and departed.